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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 23, 1981)
THE BATTALION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1981 Local Page 5 Plants need special treatment during holidays By BARBIE WOELFEL Battalion Staff Plant lovers should make spe ll preparations for plants that ill be left in town over holiday eriods, aTexas A&M horticultur- says. During the short Thanksgiving reak, plants should be well- atered and then grouped igether to increase humidity ■oundplants, said Dr. Marihelen lamp of the University’s horticul- ire department. “But remember — do not leave ater standing in saucers because lerootzone will remain wet, and lots will rot over a period of me, ’ she said. When plants are grouped igether, moisture released dur ing transpiration from all plants increases the humidity in the area, Kamp said. When plants are left without care for a few days — such as over the four- or five-day Thanksgiving break — another alternative to consider is constructing a mini greenhouse. This is done by plac ing a large piece of clear plastic, such as a cleaner’s bag, over the group of plants. In the mini-greenhouse, plant transpiration will release enough moisture to serve as a water source for all plants. In effect, plants will ^be recycling water produced in transpiration, she said. During the four-week Christ mas break, plants should be grouped together, but placed in trays with water and gravel lining the bottom. This technique also helps keep humidity around the plants, Kamp said. For a more efficient watering system over the Christmas break, Kamp recommends the technique of wick watering. “Take a strip of nylon or polyes ter hose, such as panty hose, and place it two-thirds of the way down in the soil to the root zone, and secure the other end of the hose in a water reservoir, such as a bowl of water,” Kamp explained. The plants automatically will absorb necessary amounts of wa ter when needed. Larger pots may need more than one wick, where as smaller plants only need one, she said. Tender loving plant care lives grower green thumb photo by DavtD By BARBIE WOELFEL Battalion Staff I Sometimes a college student’s jvorite roommate is a green, leafy pilodendron or a flowering Afri- violet. And just like human lommates, plants kept in dormi- and apartments need spe- leare and attention. Dr. Marihelen Kamp of the has A&M horticulture depart- lent stresses the need for correct Bting to keep foliage plants filthy. Kamp suggests placing lints as close to a natural light lurce as possible, depending on gbt requirements for each parti- |lar plant. For example, low-light plants le pothos, heart-shaped phi- Bendrons, Chinese evergreens, Jathiphyllum, weeping figs, deaf philodendrons and dra- lenas, do well in low-lighted |eas of dorms and apartments, isaid. \ves\ [ The most efficient source of ificial light comes from a wide Jectrum grow light that contains I Bthc same light rays in the sun. FI Q Biese bufbs can be purchased at ^•**'*’■* k, By store that carries an assort- lent of bulhs. individuals tf Fluorescent bulbs are prefer- ympile an eiftle, she said, because they con- ir Varsity Sq*n green and blue light rays, >ete in Februi hidi are useful for plant photo- mentatthel nthesis. Incandescent light urces are the least desirable be- in regional (i iuse they only emit wavelengths ) to the Col Hirnament. says this « od chance ali of light that are red, and the heat build-up is great, she said. “When purchasing plants,” Kamp said, “select the size you want them to be since they will not grow much indoors.” Inadequate lighting is the reason for this non growth, she said. When plants get thirsty for periodic waterings, Kamp recom mends using rain water instead of When plants get thirsty for periodic waterings, Kamp recommends us ing rain water instead of tap water because Bryan-College Station water contains sodium chloride. Some plants are highly sensitive to salt burn caused by sodium chloride in tap water. tap water because Bryan-College Station water contains sodium chloride. Some plants are highly sensitive to salt burn caused by sodium chloride in tap water. For example, dracaenas, air plane plants and Swedish ivy will develop brown tips or brown edges on leaves, called salt burn, caused by water containing salt, she said. “However, plants often will grow well with Bryan-College Sta tion water if proper watering prac tices are followed,” she said. Soil should be leached com pletely for one minute, allowing water to drain into the saucer, Kamp said. Care should be taken not to leave water standing in the saucer because roots will rot. “To determine when plants should be watered, feel the ^Wet ness of the root zone, not the sur face soil,” she said. Kamp pointed out that (soil in clay pots tends to dry ouj? faster than that in plastic pots because evaporation takes place more rapidly through the porous surface of clay pots than on plastic pots. Because most plants are potted in a peat-perlite or peat-foam mix ture, a soilless mixture in absence of soil nutrients exists. Fertilizer should be provided to supplement the soil mixture. Any good indoor plant fertilizer can be used, but should never be applied when soil is dry, she said. Fertilizers can be added to each watering, skipping one addition every fourth watering, and may be applied to plants year round, Kamp said. Staff photo by Rose Delano Lisa Till, a junior floriculture major from Houston, waters her Chinese Evergreen. Motivational film scheduled By CATHY ANDERSON Battalion Reporter Suffering from end of the semester blues? To motivate Texas A&M students, the Depart ment of St tide tit Affairs will offer a film tpnight,called “The Dimen sions of Humanness. ” The videotape will feature Tames Kerns, a professor from the University of Minnesota, Monica Christen, area coordinator, said. “It shows how a person’s phy sical, spiritual and emotional well being relate and react to things, and how they effect you as a per son,” Christen said. People viewing the film may find they desire to set other goals and net more involved in activi ties, she said. Those who do not have a spir itual life may find they need to fill gaps in their life by pursuing a particular goal. Christen said. “We felt this was a good time to show the film because this is the time of year when many students feel down due to college pressures and may need motivation,” she said. The film has never been shown to Texas A&M students before but was viewed by staff members and distributed to student govern ment leaders and resident hall assistants last year, Christen said. The tape will be shown from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in 203 Har rington. good team, il ell,” she saidr Is begin at 6(1 t 8 p.m. TIO; eau